Résumés
Abstract
This article discusses research findings that highlight the importance of leadership support of supervision for social workers in human service organizations. While supervision is considered a cornerstone of social work practice, whether and how such supervision is supported by human service leaders is not adequately analyzed. Using qualitative research data from interviews with supervisors and managers in southern Ontario, this article presents the vital role social work leaders play in supporting supervision by modelling values, and creating a safe organizational culture. The challenges of providing this support are also discussed in the current context of new public management. The article concludes with a series of recommendations, including: prioritizing supervision to promote organizational learning, organizational restructuring to reduce power differentials, modelling social work values to create a safe learning culture, and supporting supervisory and leadership training for social workers. Findings may be of interest to social workers who are leading, supervising, teaching or practicing in human service organizations.
Keywords:
- social work,
- supervision,
- leadership,
- new public management,
- human service organizations
Résumé
L’article présente les résultats d’une recherche qui souligne l’importance pour les dirigeants de soutenir la supervision des travailleurs sociaux dans les organismes de services sociaux. Bien que la supervision soit considérée comme un principe fondamental du service social, peu d’études ont vérifié si les dirigeants de services sociaux la soutenaient et de quelle manière. À partir de données qualitatives obtenues au moyen d’entrevues auprès de superviseurs et de gestionnaires dans le Sud de l’Ontario, cet article fait valoir le rôle vital que jouent les dirigeants de services sociaux pour soutenir la supervision en mettant en pratique les valeurs du travail social et en créant une culture organisationnelle sûre. Les difficultés d’offrir un tel soutien sont aussi abordées dans le contexte actuel de la nouvelle gestion publique. L’article se termine par une série de recommandations, y compris : faire de la supervision une priorité pour favoriser l’apprentissage organisationnel, procéder à la restructuration de l’organisme pour réduire les différences de pouvoir, mettre en pratique les valeurs du travail social pour créer une culture d’apprentissage sûre, et soutenir la formation en supervision et en direction de travailleurs sociaux. Les résultats de l’étude intéresseront les travailleurs sociaux qui assurent une direction, supervisent du personnel, enseignent, ou travaillent dans des organismes de services sociaux.
Mots-clés :
- travail social,
- supervision,
- leadership,
- nouvelle gestion publique,
- organismes de services sociaux
Parties annexes
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